GRE Math : GRE Quantitative Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Geometry

Circle B has a circumference of 36π. What is the area of circle A, which has a radius half the length of the radius of circle B?

Possible Answers:

18π

18

81π

324π

Correct answer:

81π

Explanation:

To find the radius of circle B, use the circumference formula (c = πd = 2πr):

2πr = 36π

Divide each side by 2π: r = 18

Now, if circle A has a radius half the length of that of B, A's radius is 18 / 2 = 9.

The area of a circle is πr2.  Therefore, for A, it is π*92 = 81π.

Example Question #12 : Circles

"O" is the center of the circle as shown below.

Gre7

A

---

The radius of the circle

 

B

---

3

Possible Answers:

Quanitity A is greater

The two quantities are equal

The relationship cannot be determined

Quantity B is greater

Correct answer:

Quantity B is greater

Explanation:

We know the triangle inscribed within the circle must be isosceles, as it contains a 90-degree angle and fixed radii. As such, the opposite angles must be equal. Therefore we can use a simplified version of the Pythagorean Theorem, 

a2 + a= c2 → 2r= 16 → r2 = 8; r = √8 < 3. (since we know √9 = 3, we know √8 must be less); therefore, Quantity B is greater. 

Example Question #13 : Circles

Which point could lie on the circle with radius 5 and center (1,2)?

Possible Answers:

(4,6)

(–3, 6)

(3,–2)

(4,–1)

(3,4)

Correct answer:

(4,6)

Explanation:

A radius of 5 means we need a distance of 5 from the center to any points on the circle. We need 52 = (1 – x2)2 + (2 – y2)2. Let's start with the first point, (3,4). (1 – 3)2 + (2 – 4)≠ 25. Next let's try (4,6). (1 – 4)2 + (2 – 6)2 = 25, so (4,6) is our answer. The same can be done for the other three points to prove they are incorrect answers, but this is something to do ONLY if you have enough time. 

Example Question #21 : Geometry

A circular fence around a monument has a circumference of \displaystyle 215 feet. What is the radius of this fence?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 43\pi

\displaystyle \frac{107.5}{\pi}

\displaystyle \pi\sqrt{125}

\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{125}}{\pi}

\displaystyle 107.5\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \frac{107.5}{\pi}

Explanation:

This question is easy on the whole, though you must not be intimidated by one small fact that we will soon see. Set up your standard circumference equation:

\displaystyle C = 2\pi r

The circumference is \displaystyle 215 feet, so we can say:

\displaystyle 215 = 2\pi r

Solving for \displaystyle r, we get:

\displaystyle r = \frac{215}{2\pi} = \frac{107.5}{\pi}

Some students may be intimidated by having \displaystyle \pi in the denominator; however, there is no need for such intimidation. This is simply the answer!

Example Question #22 : Geometry

Inscribedsquare

Circle \displaystyle O has a center in the center of Square \displaystyle ABCD.

The area of Square ABCD is \displaystyle 1156 \displaystyle in^2.

What is the radius of Circle \displaystyle O?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 34 \displaystyle in

\displaystyle 17 \displaystyle in

\displaystyle 21 \displaystyle in

\displaystyle 34\pi \displaystyle in

\displaystyle 42 \displaystyle in

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 17 \displaystyle in

Explanation:

Since we know that the area of Square \displaystyle ABCD is \displaystyle 1156, we know \displaystyle 1156 = s^2, where \displaystyle s is the length of one of its sides. From this, we can solve for \displaystyle s by taking the square root of both sides. You will have to do this by estimating upward. Therefore, you know that \displaystyle 30^2 is \displaystyle 900. By careful guessing, you can quickly see that \displaystyle 34^2 is \displaystyle 1156. From this, you know that the diameter of your circle must be half of \displaystyle 34, or \displaystyle 17 (because it is circumscribed). Therefore, you can draw:

Inscribedsquar34

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Diameter

The formula to find the radius of the largest circle that can fit in an equilateral triangle is \displaystyle \text{Radius }= \frac{S}{2\sqrt{3}}, where \displaystyle S is the length of any one side of the triange.  

What is the largest diameter of a circle that can fit inside an equilateral triangle with a perimeter of \displaystyle 15 cm?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 8.66 cm

\displaystyle 2.89 cm

\displaystyle 4.33 cm

\displaystyle 1.44 cm

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 2.89 cm

Explanation:

The diameter is

\displaystyle 2\cdot \text{Radius }

To solve for the largest diameter multiply each side by 2.  

The resulting formula for diamenter is

 \displaystyle \text{Diameter }= \frac{S}{\sqrt{3}}.  

Substitute in 5  for S and solve. Diameter = \displaystyle \frac{5}{\sqrt{3}} = 2.89 cm 

Example Question #2 : Diameter

Quantity A: The diameter of a circle with area of \displaystyle 81\pi

Quantity B: The diameter of a circle with circumference of \displaystyle 30\pi

Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

The relationship of the quantities cannot be determined.

Both quantities are equal.

Quantity A is larger.

Quantity B is larger.

Correct answer:

Quantity B is larger.

Explanation:

Consider each quantity separately.

 

Quantity A

Recall that the area of a circle is defined as:

\displaystyle A=\pi r^2

We know that the area is \displaystyle 81\pi. Therefore,

\displaystyle 81\pi=\pi r^2

Divide both sides by \displaystyle \pi:

\displaystyle r^2=81

Therefore, \displaystyle r=9. Since \displaystyle d=2r, we know:

\displaystyle d=2*9=18

 

Quantity B

This is very easy. Recall that:

\displaystyle C=\pi d

Therefore, if \displaystyle C=30\pi\displaystyle d=30. Therefore, Quantity B is larger.

Example Question #21 : Circles

Quantity A: The diameter of a circle with area of \displaystyle 109\pi

Quantity B: The diameter of a circle with circumference of \displaystyle 22\pi

Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

Quantity A is larger.

The two quantities are equal. 

Quantity B is larger.

The relationship between the quantities cannot be determined.

Correct answer:

Quantity B is larger.

Explanation:

Consider each quantity separately.

 

Quantity A

Recall that the area of a circle is defined as:

\displaystyle A=\pi r^2

We know that the area is \displaystyle 109\pi. Therefore,

\displaystyle 109\pi=\pi r^2

Divide both sides by \displaystyle \pi:

\displaystyle r^2=109

Therefore, \displaystyle r=\sqrt{109}.  Since \displaystyle d=2r, we know:

\displaystyle d=2\sqrt{109}

 

Quantity B

This is very easy.  Recall that:

\displaystyle C=\pi d

Therefore, if \displaystyle C=22\pi\displaystyle d=22.  

 

Now, since your calculator will not have a square root button on it, we need to estimate for Quantity A. We know that \displaystyle \sqrt{121} is \displaystyle 11. Therefore, \displaystyle \sqrt{109}< 11.  This means that \displaystyle 2 * \sqrt{109} < 22. Therefore, Quantity B is larger.

Example Question #22 : Geometry

A circle with an area of \displaystyle 30\pi is divided into sectors with areas in a ratio of \displaystyle 1:2:3. What is the area of the largest sector?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 9\pi

\displaystyle 10\pi

\displaystyle 15\pi

\displaystyle 18\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 15\pi

Explanation:

From the ratio given \displaystyle 1:2:3, it may be easier to write it such that the terms sum up to \displaystyle 1. This can be taken by dividing each term by the sum of the terms:

\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}:\frac{2}{6}:\frac{3}{6} 

or

\displaystyle \frac{1}{6}:\frac{1}{3}:\frac{1}{2}

The largest sector thus has an area equal to

\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}30\pi=15\pi

Example Question #2 : Diameter

A rectangle is inscribed inside of a circle such that every corner touches the edge of the circle. If the area of the rectangle is \displaystyle 360in^2 and the perimeter of the rectangle is \displaystyle 98in, what is the area of the circle in inches squared? 

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 420.25\pi

\displaystyle 2401\pi

\displaystyle 1681\pi

The answer cannot be determined.

\displaystyle 600.25\pi

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 420.25\pi

Explanation:

To find the area of the circle, it is important to know either its diameter or radius. For the geometry described in this problem, this is the same as the diagonal of the rectangle.

Gre circle rectangle

However, to find the diagonal of the rectangle, the sides must first be known. They can be found, since the perimeter and area are given:

\displaystyle lw=360in^2

\displaystyle 2l+2w=98in

This system of equation can be solved by substitution:

\displaystyle 2l=98in-2w

\displaystyle l=49in-w

Followed by:

\displaystyle w(49in-w)=360in^2

\displaystyle w^2-49in(w)+360in^2=0

\displaystyle (w-9in)(w-40in)=0

Note that this gives two possible values for \displaystyle w, \displaystyle 9in or \displaystyle 40in, though the one selected is irrelevant; the other value will be the value for \displaystyle l.

Knowing these two values, the diagonal can be found; it is the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by these two lengths:

\displaystyle d^2=9^2+40^2

\displaystyle d=41

Since the diagonal is also the diameter, the area of the circle is given by:

\displaystyle \pi \left(\frac{d}{2}\right)^2=\pi \frac{1681^}{4}=420.25\pi

 

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